On Friday I opened the liftgate using the button by the driver side and it was normal. I pressed the same button to close it and I heard a crunch type sound and went back to check if the lock closed on something but it was all clear. I tried opening and closing again using the driver side button and the key fob and it makes the beep beep sound and it sounds like something mechanical is going on back there but the door doesnt move. The button in the glove box has not been touched and I checked the fuse compartment in the hood of the car and it appears to be intact.

Now the door won't open or close unless I manually open it and close it. After the beep beep the door sounds like its attempting to open but it just stays closed. And when I manually open the door and try to push the button on the door itself, or by the key fob or by the driver side button, it also just makes the beep beep sound and sounds like its mechanically struggling to do something and just stays open.

On Saturday I went up to the snow. It was freezing cold and higher altitude and as I was unpacking the back I tried to close the liftgate manually and it wouldnt even close. It closed a few inches and then it seems like the pressurized hinges got stuck. I eventually got it to shut but now I'm not sure if the problem is those hinges or is it something electronic or is the lock of that door just messed up somehow.

Anyone have any clue at all? Also who can I take it to, besides Lexus to get it inspected/fixed? Thanks!

You are going to have to throw money at it. Take it to dealer. Whatever is wrong it's going to be expensive. Let them pinpoint the bad part and than try to find the part cheaper and have them install it. These rear power doors are a weak point on the RX Models. I know. I am going though it right now. Jamie

That's BS. I live in kingston Ontario canada and i purchased a Rear door computer 89000-20 (Something like that ) on E-bay for 199.99. lexus wanted 4 or 5 hundred. I brought it in and they installed it no problem. Paid for labour and got a 2011 ES as a loaner for the morning ( Labour was 114.00). Unfortunaly that didn't cure the problem of the rear door trying to take my head off. I ordered some struts and hopefully that will slove the problem. Other than that the RX330 is bulletproof...

That's BS. I live in kingston Ontario canada and i purchased a Rear door computer 89000-20 (Something like that ) on E-bay for 199.99. lexus wanted 4 or 5 hundred. I brought it in and they installed it no problem. Paid for labour and got a 2011 ES as a loaner for the morning ( Labour was 114.00). Unfortunaly that didn't cure the problem of the rear door trying to take my head off. I ordered some struts and hopefully that will slove the problem. Other than that the RX330 is bulletproof...

But the work almost assuredly did not come with any implied warranty. That is the part most shops will balk at no matter if it is a dealership or independent shop. Some will be happy to install the parts, however, none will guarantee they will work nor solve your problem. If after they install these parts and you continue to have problems or the problems recur days or weeks later you are on your own.

Walk into a Lexus dealer in this part of Florida with parts asking for them to be installed on your Lexus product and they will show you the door.

On a personal note, unless you have a prior agreement with the shop to bring in parts from an outside source I would consider it bad form to just show up with parts in hand. However, if you have had your vehicle diagnosed with a problem and if you have been given a quote for work you feel is way more than you can afford or feel comfortable with, it would be appropriate to ask about the possibility of bringing in your own parts for installation. As long as there has been this and everything is agreed upon, then supplying your own parts would be fine. It is always at the shop's prerogative as it is their shop. FWIW.

I guess it's what a dealership can get away with. Maybe there are more business oriented up here in ontario. Getting labour out of me is better than getting nothing. I would take it to my real mechanic, has own shop ,works for $20 a hour) first rate. ( Lexus's Toyota's they are all the same) but my concern was this power door thing which my mechanic hasn't done before. Like i said, i got to try a ES and liked it. Jamie

It turns out the "clamshell" holding the gears in place was loose due to the strong forces. I took it apart and put blue loc-tite on the threads to keep it from working loose.
Works perfect now.
Don't be afraid to buy a new motor and replace, its not that hard.